Quinn names four alums as new U. of I. trustees

September 04, 2009

Gov. Pat Quinn named four University of Illinois alumni as the school's newest trustees today, sweeping the embattled board clean of members connected to admissions scandal that rocked the Urbana-Champaign campus this summer.

As expected, Quinn also refused the resignation ofEdward McMillan, the Greenville Republican who he named to the board earlier this year. McMillan was not involved in the admissions abuses that rocked the Urbana-Champaign campus.

The new members are: Former Springfield Mayor Karen Hasara; Timothy Koritz, a staff anesthesiologist at Rockford Memorial Hospital; Pamela Strobel, retired executive vice president and chief administrative office of Exelon; and Carlos Tortolero, the president and one of the founders of the National Museum of Mexican Art.

The newly-appointed members join Christopher Kennedy and Lawrence Oliver, who were appointed to the panel last week.

"Each new member brings integrity, professionalism and experience to this very important Board," Quinn said. "They will work diligently and tirelessly on behalf of our great university."

The announcement was received warmly by the U. of I. alumni association, which had not been given a voice in the appointment process in recent years. Four of the five people tapped by Quinn today were recommended by the association.

The fifth, Koritz, had been endorsed by other graduates during the nomination process and has the alumni association's full backing.

"It's a difficult role to step into," association spokeswoman Vanessa Faurie said. "We're happy that alumni are able to serve this way. They want to do the right thing by the university."

Hasara, who has two degrees from the University of Illinois at Springfield, said she agreed to serve because she felt an obligation to help her alma mater through a crisis.

"At times like these, it's important that we who can serve come forward if asked," she said. "We need to get these problems put behind us quickly."

Tortolero received word that he'd been selected for the powerful position late Thursday.

"I was hoping he would call," he said with a laugh.

The Berwyn resident founded the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen, where he serves as president. Tortolero began his career as a teacher and counselor in Chicago Public Schools. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago, as did one of his three children.